Teenager named world’s shortest man

A teenager with the body of a three-year-old has been declared the shortest man in the world today as he celebrated his 18th birthday.

Smallest man in the world Khagendra Thapa Magar dances as his relatives watches on

Khagendra Thapa Magar is just 26.4in high (.68m) and weighs a mere 12lb (5.5kg).

He and his family have been campaigning for years to be recognised as the world’s tiniest, but earlier requests to Guinness World Records officials have fallen on deaf ears because of the possibility he might grow further,

But now he has displaced Edward Nino Hernandez of Colombia, who measures 27in.

‘We have been finally recognised and our dreams have finally come true.’

He said his son was tiny even at birth, weighing just 1.3lb.

He has no explanation for why he never grew taller – his younger brother is normal height for a boy of 13.

Nepal’s Khagendra Thapa Magar is weighed on a scale as women peek in from a window at a local hospital in Pokhara, some 200 kilometers (124 miles) west of Katmandu, Nepal, Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010. Magar, a Nepalese fruit seller’s son with the body of a toddler turned 18 on Thursday and was officially declared the world’s shortest man by Guinness record officials. Magar measured in at 26.4 inches (67 centimeters) and weighs just over 12 pounds (5.5 kilograms). (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

The wee man excitedly welcomed journalists to the family’s rented home, where he leaped onto the kitchen table and made tea for the press and family members.

He also received presents for his 18th and danced to the sound of a toy drum.

He already travels as part of a dancing troupe when he isn’t helping his parents in their fruit shop and seems ready for the media spotlight that will come with his new title.